Times of crisis always raise the same question How to learn new things quickly? The Bulgarian psychotherapist Georgi Lozanov offered the solution in the 1970s inventing suggestopedia, the method of accelerated learning mixed with arts. It allows learning new things up to 5 times faster than with traditional methods.
What is suggestopedia?
The method was certified by UNESCO in 1978 and was widely applied worldwide. Together with Elena Stoycheva, teacher of English practising suggestopedia and art therapy, and founder of TOGETHER studio (Plovdiv), we discussed useful features of the unique learning tool that so much reflects the very nature of Bulgarian mentality – creativity and freedom.
1 Why did you decide to practice Suggestopedia?
During my studies at University, I started teaching and experimenting with different creative techniques. My methods attracted attention and people started inviting me to teach “in a different way.” I came across some books by Professor Lozanov while working in a public school, and I managed to get involved in training on the method of suggestopedia, from which my wings sprouted.
This encouraged me to find my own studio TOGETHER. The most important thing is not exactly the techniques, but the appropriate environment and emotional background, which turn learning into communication and space for expression.
2 The key feature of Suggestopedia is to unlock human potential. What other benefits does it have?
It has a long-lasting effect on the whole personality, triggers inspiration, helps to improve the sleep-wake cycle, overcomes tiredness, makes good friendships in the courses, and makes bold personal changes after training. They develop new hobbies and interests. Regularly, after and during the courses, some students additionally take up piano or pottery classes, begin to paint, write poetry, and more. It is because, in addition to memory talents, creative reserves also evolve.
3 How do you use different creative techniques like art or music?
The word suggestopedia originates from the verb suggest ways of doing something. The emphasis is on the learning conditions, not the techniques themselves, and art and music are integral parts of the whole process. For example, there are didactic songs that teach the language in a stream or grammar.
Very often the creative expression happens through something very universal – the creation of original sentences and stories, which are based on the target vocabulary and grammar but recreated through the personal creativity of each student. Being able to respond with a sense of humor to another student’s speech in a foreign language is also a creative act.
The power of spontaneous activation for new languages
4 How do your students overcome psychological barriers in learning new skills?
Desuggestive training works with the accumulation and spontaneous activation of the set spare material, so the results are not visible day by day. Usually, from the middle of training, visible activation and automation of completely new language structures and real communication between the learners emerge.
The very experience that they can express themselves and have built lasting connections to the structure of language pushes the barrier. We have frequent cases when our students change jobs after a course or travel to London alone after only a month of studies. The learning experience for children and adults is like a game and adventure. Students can build a new biography and participate in a real language challenge, which also creates an opportunity to overcome their limits.
5 There are many innovative courses now. But how can one learn at any age when there is a need but no habit?
Our brain is plastic, and every day it differs from the previous one. It transforms after every new experience or information we get to know. So, the more we exercise it, as we do with the muscles, the more the neural networks are renewed. Learning a language, practising a sport, and switching to healthy eating are great ways to keep your brain in good shape.
Explore other practical tips for lifelong learning in the section Lifelong Learning of this blog.
